Saturday, December 31, 2011

my eulogy for bellucci

Bellucci, September 23, 2003 - December 30, 2011

On Sepember 29, 2003, you and 5 of your siblings were born in the corner of my apartment. You were, to your breeder, and to me, the cutest of the bunch. You looked like a teddy bear – with perfectly puffy golden brown hair, and a big black nose. So I guess it was apt that we called you Bellucci, after one of the most beautiful actresses.

As soon as I decided you were the one we were going to keep, I would pick you up from your litter everyday to hold you while I watched TV. You, however, didn’t enjoy the cuddling as much as I did – Doctor Leo even called you a Squeeze-Me Elmo, since you would automatically make this low grunt every time I would hold you close to me. I wish I had recorded that.

Your pretty and always prim hair though seemed like a disguise for someone who was really rougher around the edges. You always had a knack for the “damak” as Mariel would call you. You loved to scratch your smelly ear, and take a whiff off your paw after doing so. You loved to sniff and ingest all things yucky. And you loved to sleep behind the toilet bowl, a habit that Doctor Leo later on blamed for your perennial body odor.

Typically just like anyone who came second, you were always the sillier, more rebellious and charming of the two. Toilet training, keeping you nearby, and following our orders were never as easy as it was with Flower. What you lacked there though, you made up for your irresistible charm. Everyone who knew you well – Troy, Candy, Ats, Mariel – loved you to pieces. How could anyone resist your excitement and tears of joy every time one of them walked in the door?

I was worried about taking you up to Baguio, as I knew how much you hated car rides. You were so calm and happy going up though – makes me think that perhaps you weren’t feeling well then already. You seemed so happy when we got there. So when you showed signs of weakness, none of us thought that something terminal was looming, although I still contacted Doctor Leo immediately when your hind leg started shaking on Wednesday. Doc and I were in constant contact since then.

It was on our last night in Baguio on Friday when you got alarmingly weaker. It was the first time I ever (in my life) told Doc Leo that I was worried, and that worried him too. On our way down, you seemed like you were in good spirits so all anxiety went away. But when I saw you last night, trembling and breathing difficultly, I knew that things had turned for the absolute worst.

I stayed by your side for 20 minutes, waiting for Doc to come. I still remember the last time you looked at me with your big pretty brown eyes – your eyes were so full of pain, almost apologetic for it. I told you to hang in there, as I didn’t have to strength to tell you that it was okay to let go. I hope that my strokes and kisses eased the pain a little. I’m happy I was able to hug, kiss and say goodbye to you one last time before I handed you over to Doctor Leo.

Noey, Mae, Flower and I are overcome with so much sadness and grief. Since Stella was born, I know things have been different, but I hope that you know that you’ll always have a place in our hearts that can never be replaced by anyone else.

All of us – Noey, Mae, Flower, Candy, Ats, Troy, Mariel – miss you terribly, and look forward to your tears of joy when we see each other again.

I love you, Belly.

Last photos of Bellucci in Baguio:


Last video of Belly, taken by Troy in November.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

happy birthday to me

i know it has been weeks... but i still want to share with you how i spent my special day!

first, i was pleasantly surprised at the office...

greeted by balloons,


a cake,


and best of all, sweet handmade cards.


for lunch, the hub took me to one of my fave restos for my favorite spinachy meal...

spinach + mushroom + parmesan + truffle


and spinach ravioli


and to cap the day, i had dinner with the nearest and dearest.


but i think this was the best birthday present of all...


happy birthday to me!

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

it was berry fun!

happy halloween, sis!

finally got to partake in some of the family's traditional halloween parties.

first, in our place... a quick 3-lobby (there are 4 lobbies but we only made it to 3) trick-or-treating with friends.


the berry as an elephant...


the berry as a bunny...


then, the traditional trick or treating in the compound. what a treat!

spot the berry...


here we go!


so many treats!


what's so cool are the treats! they're all so personal! none of that junk candy!

here are some "tombs" from twinpopsistoo


they're yanyan! our favorite!


this was my favorite... "Potion Ingredients for Spells" from the Silvas...


inside... serpent elexir, bat droppings, earth worms and eye of newt!


some home baked goodies...


there were also all sorts of practical stuff, toys and even a book!


even the dogs had a treat for the trick or treater!


lastly, we were at lola's for the traditional halloween dinner.

here are who greeted us at the gate.


and different characters greeting us inside...


lots of fun and games, too!

counting candies...


halloween crossword...


too bad we couldn't stay long enough for the rest of the games and prizes!

the berry was too tired already. but it was berry, berry fun.

happy halloween!

what were you up to?

Monday, October 24, 2011

tayo na sa antipolo!


but anyway it was my first time last week,

and i enjoyed some of the elements of the church...

like the floral iron gates...


the big dome...


the gold chandeliers...



and the nice old doors...


yun lang!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

baguio art tour

the next time someone asks me what you can do in baguio, aside from eat and shop at the ukay-ukay (which are perfectly good things to do!), i will definitely recommend going on the baguio art tour!

baguio, home to many artists and artisans has tons of relatively unexplored artspaces that are truly a sight to see :)

from the art of traditional weaving....


to centuries-old huts



ethnic art and sculptures


outdoor installations


and native antiques

from a large museum housing philippine contemporary art




to a hole in the wall that serves dogmeat next to edgy wall art and graffiti




its definitely a perfect way to spend the day in the city :)